Economy
Tax cuts, pay rises and text message changes on the way
1 July
WHAT IS CHANGING ON JULY 1? * About 2.7 million workers on award wages will get a 4.75 per cent pay bump, while workers on the minimum wage will get a six per cent pay rise, following a Fair Work Commission decision * Workers will also receive super...[Read More]
Minimum wage tops $1000 a week, stoking inflation fears
3 June
Workers on the minimum wage will receive more than $1000 a week for the first time, but businesses and economists warn the pay bump could fuel inflation and more rate rises. Industrial umpire the Fair Work Commission handed a 4.75 per cent pay boost...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – Nine key longer term consequences of the US/Israeli war with Iran
15 April
Key points Uncertainty remains high over the US/Iran War with a ceasefire declared but no agreement in talks so far. Tensions continue to remain high and oil flows remain restricted, with Trump announcing his own blockade on the Strait of...[Read More]
‘Significant spikes’: servos to face huge gouging fines
11 March
Service stations deliberately price gouging customers due to the Middle East war will face harsher penalties, as the federal government acknowledges panic buying has led to shortages in regional areas. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said penalties would be...[Read More]
Aussies tapping more credit as arrears value swells
25 February
Australians have leaned into debt ahead of the central bank’s pivot to hike interest rates, with applications for mortgages and credit cards doubling in the recent quarter. Mortgage credit demand grew 12.3 per cent, while credit card applications...[Read More]
New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills
31 December
When Australians wake up to a new year, changes to government payments and policies will impact the finances of millions of households. From Thursday, the maximum cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will be slashed from $31.60 to...[Read More]
Self-interest widening wealth gap between old and young
31 December
Is the wealth gap between old and young Australians becoming a gulf? Former federal Treasury secretary Ken Henry has declared young workers are being “robbed” by the tax system, while ex-Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas calls the intergenerational...[Read More]
Boxing Day sales take off with bargain airfares
31 December
With bumper Boxing Day sales under way, shoppers are being cautioned to closely track prices to ensure they’re getting genuine bargains not illusory offers. Two major airlines have also added to the December 26 bargain hunt early on, announcing...[Read More]
Cozzie livs no match for multibillion-dollar Xmas spend
24 December
A forecast multibillion-dollar uptick in Christmas and holiday spending is being taken as a sign Australians are finally getting beyond cost-of-living woes. Consumers are by and large expected to loosen the purse strings over the silly season, with...[Read More]
2025: The year the world chose direction
18 December
History rarely announces itself in dramatic bursts. More often, it reveals itself through quiet turning points — moments when trends harden into realities and choices can no longer be postponed. 2025 was one of those years. It did not deliver a...[Read More]
The gift of trust: How talking about us strengthens our business and community
4 December
Referrals mean more to us than words can easily express. When a happy client shares their experience and recommends us to a friend, colleague, or family member, it is one of the greatest compliments we can receive. We never take that trust for...[Read More]
Shoppers tap credit to fund record Black Friday sales
3 December
Australians are set for a record spend on the Black Friday weekend, but it appears they are banking on credit cards to cover the costs. Bargain shoppers are expected to drop $6.8 billion over the Black Friday-Cyber Monday weekend, a four per cent...[Read More]
Uni debts slashed for more than one million Australians
3 December
Half of all Australians with a student debt have had their loans slashed by 20 per cent. The Australian Taxation Office will automatically apply the one-off reduction, with a further 1.5 million people to receive the cut by the end of next week. In...[Read More]
Timeline set for easing of student debt burden
8 October
Some three million Australians with a student debt will soon see their balance owed reduced as the tax office prepares to implement a 20 per cent cut. The Australian Tax Office will apply the reprieve from mid-November and anticipates half of...[Read More]
Appliance reliance: consumers want repairability labels
1 October
Australian consumers are not being given enough information about the expected life of appliances, research shows, and could be wasting money based on vague environmental claims. The trend is occurring despite more than four in five consumers...[Read More]